Super Rugby: Noah Lolesio back for the grand final

The Brumbies have rushed new Wallaby Noah Lolesio into the playmaking position for Saturday’s Super Rugby AU grand final.

Noah Lolesio is back in the Brumbies side despite not playing since July

The Brumbies have rushed new Wallaby Noah Lolesio into the playmaking position at five-eighth for Saturday’s Super Rugby AU grand final against the Queensland Reds in Canberra, despite the fact that he has not played since July.

It was, as head coach Dan McKellar had said, “a big ask”, but there is no question that Lolesio had been one of the emerging stars of the season up to the point where he injured his hamstring.

To ease his return, the Brumbies also have recalled Joe Powell at halfback. He had played with Lolesio in all of their early-season games and there is no question that they have formed a dynamic halves combination.

Powell, who was rested at the Brumbies last outing against the Reds in Brisbane, returns at the expense of fellow Wallaby Nic White, who moves to the reserves where he will be joined by Bayley Kuenzle, who had filled in commendably at five-eighth during Lolesio’s injury.

The other significant backline selection was that of long-time Test centre Tevita Kuridrani at 13, where he will form a midfield pairing with another young Wallabies selection, Irae Simone.

Solomone Kata remains on the reserves bench as a result of Kuridrani’s selection, with Tom Wright and Adam Muirhead holding down the wing positions.

“As a team we’re really happy for Noah,” said McKellar. “He was playing good footy before his setback, he’s done a lot of work to get himself right and trained very well over the last two weeks. We’ve got full confidence and belief in his ability.

“To be able to play a home final in front of our family and our supporters is something we set out to do at the start of this competition and we can’t wait for that opportunity.

“We’ve prepared well over the last two weeks and we know the Reds are going to be a huge challenge on Saturday night, but it’s one we’re looking forward to.”

Meanwhile, the Reds have made two changes to their starting XV for the grand final, with winger Chris Feauai-Sautia failing to recover from his groin injury and Jordan Petaia moving from the outside centre position to fill the vacancy on the flank.

That, in turn, has allowed Hunter Paisami to return to the outside centre position he filled for most of the season, during Petaia’s long recovery from shoulder surgery.

In the other change, JP Smith has returned to the loosehead position, taking over from Harry Hoopert, who drops to the bench. Utility back Jack Hardy takes over among the finishers from Paisami.

“Grand final week – this is what it’s all about,” said Queensland coach Brad Thorn. “We’re embracing the challenge ahead against a worthy opponent, whom we respect.

“Our journey to get here started back in November with our Reds to Regions trip across Queensland. We travelled around the world. We worked hard in two pre-seasons. We’ve battled through a global pandemic. Many of our guys in this group have come through our pathway and club rugby – they’ve thrived and have grown as men during this year.

“We’ve reconnected with our state. They believe in us and we want to make them proud this weekend, plus achieve something together as a group,” said Thorn.

Brumbies: 1. Scott Sio, 2. Folau Fainga’a, 3. Allan Alaalatoa (c), 4. Murray Douglas, 5. Cadeyrn Neville, 6. Lachlan McCaffrey, 7. Will Miller, 8. Pete Samu, 9. Joe Powell, 10. Noah Lolesio, 11. Tom Wright, 12. Irae Simone, 13. Tevita Kuridrani, 14. Andy Muirhead, 15. Tom Banks. Reserves: 16. Connal McInerney, 17. James Slipper, 18. Tom Ross, 19. Nick Frost, 20. Rob Valetini, 21. Nic White, 22. Bayley Kuenzle, 23. Solomone Kata.

Reds: 1. JP Smith, 2. Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 3. Taniela Tupou, 4. Angus Blyth, 5. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 6. Liam Wright (c), 7. Fraser McReight, 8. Harry Wilson, 9. Tate McDermott, 10. James O’Connor, 11. Filipo Daugunu, 12. Hamish Stewart, 13. Hunter Paisami, 14. Jordan Petaia, 15. Jock Campbell. Reserves: 16. Josh Nasser, 17. Harry Hoopert, 18. Ruan Smith, 19. Tuaina Taii Tualima, 20. Angus Scott-Young, 21. Moses Sorovi, 22. Bryce Hegarty, 23. Jack Hardy.